Alicia Keys recently faced criticism over a social media post that was perceived as insensitive in the context of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
In the post, which has since been deleted, Keys shared a photo of herself wearing a green jacket and asked, “What would you do if u weren’t afraid of anything???” She also mentioned her interest in paragliding using “side-eye” emojis and the hashtag, “Monday energy.”
Criticism and Controversy
The controversy arose because Hamas terrorists had previously used paragliders in an attack on Israel. Some people on social media attempted to link her wearing green, the color of the Hamas flag, to being supportive of the organization. The combination of the word “paragliding” and wearing green led to backlash.
Alicia Keys’ Response
Alicia Keys took to her Instagram stories to address the criticism and clarify her intentions. She mentioned that her original post was “COMPLETELY unrelated in any way to the recent devastating loss of innocent lives.” She expressed her deep sorrow over the ongoing conflict and emphasized her hope and prayer for peace.
Support from Former Manager
Guy Oseary, who is Israeli-American and a former manager of Alicia Keys, defended her on his Instagram account. He confirmed that the word used in her post had triggered concerns in the Jewish community. However, he made it clear that there was no connection between her post and the conflict. He emphasized Keys’ commitment to human rights and her positive influence on the world through humanitarian work.
Alicia Keys’ post and the subsequent controversy highlight the challenges celebrities face when their social media posts are open to interpretation and sensitive to global events. While her intentions were not related to the conflict, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of communication and being mindful of the potential impact of one’s words on social media.
Continued Support for Peace
Despite the backlash, Alicia Keys remains focused on advocating for peace and expressing her solidarity with those affected by the conflict. Her response indicates her commitment to humanitarian causes and the hope for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.